Traffic Ticket Lawyer FAQ:
Have you recently been handed a traffic ticket? If so, you may be confused about what you should do next. Chances are you’ve considered paying the fine, but you might have also thought about contesting it.
Before you ask friends or family how to get out of a speeding ticket, who might give you the wrong advice such as, “Just plead no contest!”, you should know your rights and options. A traffic ticket lawyer can explain this to you in further detail; however, the following should help you to gain a basic understanding of what your rights may be.
Contesting the Ticket
If you believe the ticket has been issued unlawfully or in error, it is your right to fight the ticket. You may do so by taking your ticket to traffic court and asking to have the ticket dismissed or dropped. If you are considering this, you should be prepared:
- Know the traffic laws in your local jurisdiction, city, township, county, and/or state. These should be located on your state legislator’s website or the DMV.
- Gather any documents or information that may be related to the stop. If you have a traffic ticket lawyer on your side, he or she can request this information (i.e. radar gun log books).
- Have a Strong Defense – What you might think is unfair may not matter from a legal standpoint. Before you claim something like “I don’t agree with the officer,” or “I was running late to work,” you should have a viable defense.
- Get Help from a Lawyer – Even if you decide to defend yourself, it is highly advisable to seek advice from a traffic lawyer from a law firm like The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt to assist with getting a better understanding of your rights. He or she may help you to understand your chances of successfully contesting the ticket. You might also decide that having a lawyer on your side will benefit you more than not having one.
Pay the Ticket Fine
Paying the ticket fine is typically the most obvious and easy approach to solve the situation. Usually, you can pay online, by mail, or in person and not have to go to court. When you choose this, you are pleading guilty. This can, and likely will, result in points on your license, an increase in insurance premiums, and more.
It is also possible that your license will be suspended or revoked. Additional consequences that could result include career problems, child custody issues, and more. You should weigh out the consequences of admitting your guilt versus fighting the accusation to determine what might be the best decision for you.
Attend Traffic School
Rather than paying for your ticket, you may be able to attend traffic school, a driver’s safety class, or another educational alternative. This may prevent you from facing large fines and an increase in your insurance.
Loss of a License
A string of tickets or certain violations, such as driving under the influence, can result in a suspension or revocation of a driver’s license. This can be devastating and have a domino-like effect on your life. If you are concerned about losing your license, or any other consequence, you should call a traffic ticket lawyer for further advice and information.
